Researchers had cyclists and drivers participate in traffic simulations, to observe their behavior at intersections with stop signs. Your browser does not support the audio element. Allowing cyclists to roll through stop signs doesn’t lead to riskier road behavior, according to a new study from researchers at Oregon State University.
Since 2020, Oregon has let cyclists treat flashing red lights and stop signs as if they were yield signs. Nine other states, including Washington, have adopted similar laws.
David Hurwitz, an OSU researcher and professor, said these policies help riders maintain their speed through intersections, so they can spend less time in the path of oncoming traffic.
Hurwitz also said it’s less physically taxing for cyclists to stay in motion, which could lead to more efficient travel.
“We’d like to get more people involved in active modes of transport in order to reduce single occupancy automobile trips, and to promote public health,” said Hurwitz. “Any obstacle that we can remove from making the choice to take that particular trip by bicycle is a good thing,”
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To test the effects of rolling stops, OSU researchers held traffic simulations with real people, reviewing their road behavior before and after being educated about the law.Hurwitz said once drivers learned the rules, they approached intersections at the same or slower speeds, and paid more attention to nearby bicycles. Meanwhile, he said cyclists didn’t appear to engage in more reckless behavior.“They were making judgments […]
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